The proposed research intends to fill this important research gap and conduct a clinical study that compares the development of Alzheimer's Disease between patients that use statins and a group that does not use statins for a specified amount of time. These two groups will not be using statins for control of coronary artery disease, to eliminate any confounding variables that may be a result of CAD and Alzheimer's. Patients will be given statins for the sole purpose of preventing and/or controlling Alzheimer's disease. The purpose of the proposed research is to provide reliable research that examines the potential for use of statins to control Alzheimer's Disease. The research will be conducted using strict clinical controls and under the direction of senior staff. This research will provide valuable insight into the validity of using statins to prevent and control the development of Alzheimer's Disease in patients who are at risk for developing it.

The most important contribution of this research will be the investigation of statin use for control of Alzheimer's Disease. A strong theoretical basis exists for the suggestion that Alzheimer's patients may benefit, due to decreased cholesterol production. However, thus far, much of the supposition regarding the potential to use statins in connection with Alzheimer's Disease is largely theoretical. Conflicting information exists regarding the use of statins in Alzheimer's patients, along with warnings that some may cause potential harms. This information will have to be taken into consideration in the research design. This research will contribute valuable information to the existing body of research regarding the use of statins to control Alzheimer's Disease.

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